Visitors to the Nix Nature Center in Laguna Canyon recently witnessed some of Orange County’s amazing aviators – live raptors from the Orange County Bird of Prey Center, based in Lake Forest. As part of the Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Park’s Weekend at the Nix Program, children and adults were able to see these majestic birds up close and personal.

This Saturday, Nov. 12, from 1-4 p.m. the center hosts Acjachemen performer, Jacque Nunez, as she transports you into the traditions of the Acjachemen native Americans – and into the world of our shared past. Space is limited.

A great horned owl.

The Orange County Bird of Prey Center is a volunteer driven nonprofit organization that works to educate the community about raptors and rehabilitate and release injured raptors to the wild. Led by Peggy Chase, visitors were introduced to a kestrel, red tail hawk, burrowing owl, and barn owl, all of whom had been previously injured, unable to be released to the wild and now assist in educational programs.

In addition to seeing the live birds, hands on activities including dissecting an owl pellet, and hawk identification were led by natural resource specialist Laura Cohen and Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers.